In the wake of Aequilla’s destruction, the league went their own ways for several days without any communication. Most summoners returned to ruling their worlds while Kalim continued his work, launching several scouting and espionage missions to gather intelligence from across the universe. He decided to call in a conference with the other members and present his findings as a way to maintain the unity.

Out of the six who founded the league, only three remained. Kalim decided it was best for them to meet on Khyam where the young lord Arturo resided after Telium’s death on Aequilla. Kalim’s estate was still in disarray with construction of a new mansion in progress but would take several years to complete.

“Are you proud of yourself?” Bijan held his hand out to the vacant seats around them. Bijan served as a summoner in the Shah’s army and helped organize the defense of the Outer Realm in the final years of the war. His service to the Shah received recognition from Justinian who had him made a satrap. “I told the others not to follow you to Aequilla but you managed to blind them into your little suicide mission. We should have lured the Maidens outside the city and then struck down both Markus and Rouya before they could react.”

Kalim stiffened at the harsh words of his companion. No matter, they still needed each other if they wished to continue ruling their respective worlds. He pulled out several slips of paper and slid them in front of Bijan. “What happened on Aequilla was not optimal for any of us. The loss of Lord Telium and Javed is going to take time to heal but we need to think about the future.”

Bijan knit his brows as he began skimming through the reports Kalim pulled together. He leaned back and caressed the dragon glass Jikka containing Ahzi’s spirit. “So you had me come all the way out here just to tell me that you can’t find Rouya.”

“There’s no trace of her,” Kalim added. “I had my scouts visit every habitable world in the Inner and Outer Realm as well as the Frontier. It’s safe to assume she perished on Aequilla.”

“I don’t like assumptions,” Bijan said. “They lead to surprises and surprises bite you in the ass. We took a risk letting Markus have a Battle Maiden and it’s only come to haunt us.”

“Which is why I’m suggesting we pool our resources and attack him right now. He’s holed up in his residence. Some of the servants say he doesn’t leave his chambers for days. This is our chance to bring an end to the conflict and return the four Maidens to our fold.”

Bijan remained silent, leaning back in his chair. He gazed over to the young lord at the end of the table and smiled. “I don’t like it. If the attack fails, we put all our families at stake. You said it yourself, he has four Maidens. We no longer have the numbers to wage an offensive.”

“Are more people going to die?” Lord Arturo asked, speaking for the first time in their company. He was only eight and not in a position to rule over Khyam. His mother would be regent for the time but she refused to meet with Kalim after what he did to Telium. “Let’s talk to Markus and cheer him up. Maybe then he’ll no longer be sad and will stop fighting with us.”

“No, we need to strike him down while he’s weak. A surprise attack by all three Maidens would be enough.”

“He’d detect our Maidens once they step foot on Kesan and then he’ll be coming for us. Fighting an untrained woman is one matter but against an experienced summoner is entirely different.” Bijan rose from his seat and gave Arturo a curt bow. “I’ll look into opening channels of negotiation with Markus.”

“You’re going to just roll over and give up like that? Let a setback dictate how we should live? It’s no wonder the Shah lost the war.”

Kalim’s trust in his allies vanished entirely. He still maintained a large network of spies and assassins. Even without the other summoners’ support, he’d find a way to finish Markus off. He tried being reasonable but life taught him better and he wouldn’t make the same mistakes twice. “Bijan, I apologize for my words. These past weeks have been taxing on all of us. Let me know when you’ve received word from Markus Relius.

“Best of luck, Kalim. This’ll be the last time we see each other on friendly terms.”

“I understand,” Kalim said with a frown. “Kian, be so good as to help Lord Bijan with his cloak.”

Kian retrieved the flashy gold cloak from the wardrobe and moved in behind Bijan. With a whisk, he flashed the cloak in front of his face and brought it around his neck. The lord struggled, flailing and kicking around him but Kian kept his grip until he slackened and slumped to the floor.

“Why did you hurt him?” The young Arturo grew pale and pressed his palms to his face.

“Everything’s all right, Lord Bijan is merely sleeping. You want your people to love you and sing songs about you? You want to make them happy and I promised your grandfather I’d help you.” Kalim smiled to himself and took a sip from his wine. “Good, now Kian, bring me the Jikka.”

His brother crouched down and fumbled the corpse before stiffening. He remained perfectly still for several moments in which Kalim was forced to stare at his back.

Kalim dug his nails into the arm of the chair. “Give it to me!”

Kian slowly stood and turned around, the Jikka in his hands and a fire in his eyes. The Dragoon Maiden Ahzi appeared in a burst of dark matter.